Sanyo Wild Knights claimed the Japan Top League title for the first time with a 28-23 victory over Suntory Sungoliaths in Tokyo in Sunday.

Beaten finalists for the last three years, Sanyo scored three second-half tries to overturn an 11-6 half-time deficit and avenge their defeat at the hands of Suntory at the same stage three years ago. Yu Young Nam, Akihito Yamada and Tadasuke Nishihara all touched down for Sanyo with Atsushi Tanabe adding three penalty goals and two conversions.

Yasunori Nagatomo crossed twice for Suntory with veteran George Gregan also crossing for only his second try in three years. Ryan Nicholas weighed in with two penalties and Peter Hewat added a conversion for Suntory but it was not enough to see off their rivals.

Played in front of 14,390 on a bitterly cold day at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Sanyo's victory was inspired by Nishihara whose introduction helped turn the tide up front. "We really wanted to win this year, more so than in the last three years when we lost," said Sanyo captain Seiichi Shimomura.

"We weren't good enough but definitely the breakdown changed in the second half," said Suntory coach Eddie Jones, whose focus will now switch to the Japan Cup. "The game can't change that abruptly without something happening."

Yamada was named MVP for the play-off tournament, the wing having also crossed in the semi-final win over Toyota Verblitz. But coach Hitoshi Iijima said it was a team effort. "This game was won by the 22 players in the squad and all the reserves," he said.